Biological Deterioration of Wood in Tropical Environments. Part 2. Marine Borer Resistance of Natural Woods over Long Periods of Immersion.
Abstract
One hundred and fifteen wood species have been exposed to marine borers in three different tropical waters for periods up to 90 months. Underwater sites were in the Panama Canal Zone and included two oceans and a brackish-water lake. Over 30 species of marine-boring organisms were identified from these waters; their extreme activity in the warm tropical environments provided a very thorough screening test for the woods. Samples have been evaluated separately for resistance to the three principal borer classes--teredo, pholad, and limnoria. Several of the woods were resistant to one or more of the borer types. Some of these resistant species are relatively unknown as marine construction timbers, and in some instances they proved to be more durable than Greenheart, Teak, and other commercial marine woods. The species most resistant to all borers was Dalbergia retusa (Cocobolo), whose oily extract may provide leads to a satisfactory wood preservative. The woods most resistant to each of the different classes of borers are tabulated, with their respective silica content and density included. Silica was shown to be significant only in relation to teredine borers, while wood density was important only with pholads. Woods considered to be of special interest because of findings in the study are discussed individually. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 07, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0716740
Entities
People
- B. W. Forgeson
- C. R. Southwell
- C. W. Hummer
- J. D. Bultman
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory